Comparisons of mythological and non-mythological iconography displayed on Etruscan pottery

Abstract

When we think of Ancient cultures the ones that come to mind are Greece, Rome, Egypt, and Mesopotamia but Etruria or commonly referred to as the Etruscans is frequently not included. This could be due to its assimilation by the Romans. The Etruscan nation was not only the predasecors to the Romans in the Italian peninsula but much like the Romans they created trade networks that reached as far as the ancient cities of Carthage and Athens. The presence of these trading networks with the Greek City States can be seen through the number of ceramic vessels found in tombs along the southern portion of the peninsula. The interesting aspect of these vessels is the images or iconography being displayed not only on the Greek pottery but on Etruscan ceramics as well. This study explores the nature of the scenes imitated by the Etruscans on their own pottery as a result of their interactions with their Greek neighbors.